never jerk a stuck truck with a chain

[Redfish]

@PrairieDrifter I recently picked up a couple soft shackles and I am pleased with them. I am almost ashamed to admit that I got them because I didn't like the cosmetic damage that my chains were doing on and around the front tow hooks on my Duramax. These eliminate that and they work very well. One for my Duramax and one for Pop's AT4. I don't think he has used his yet but we have used mine several times and I am a believer.

 

[TurboDog]

Is it a problem to connect my strap to the receiver hitch using the pin?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Is it a problem to connect my strap to the receiver hitch using the pin?

Frowned upon. If I'm understanding what you want. You want to slip the loop of the strap inside the receiver hitch and connect it with the receiver pin?

Can't do that. The edges of the inside of the receiver hitch will cut straps. Also can't trust pin ratings doing that because you're basically pulling from the center of the pin, unlike the hitch does.

 

[TurboDog]

I have done this many times and not cut the strap. But is the pin strong enough? Looks like the pin is still intact in the pictures where the hitch broke.

I am using a tow strap, 3" x 30 ft...is that only for towing? Should it be a 'recovery strap'?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I have done this many times and not cut the strap. But is the pin strong enough? Looks like the pin is still intact in the pictures where the hitch broke.

I can go buy one of those inserts that go into the receiver and have a D ring on the end.
if it is really necessary.

I'm not saying it can't be done. Like I said, frowned upon. I have one of the d ring receivers. Much handier, especially in the freezing cold.

 

[nvrenuf]

I have done this many times and not cut the strap. But is the pin strong enough? Looks like the pin is still intact in the pictures where the hitch broke.

I am using a tow strap, 3" x 30 ft...is that only for towing? Should it be a 'recovery strap'?

You touched on another issue - "is the pin strong enough?" You'll be in a pickle if you ever bend the pin, you wont be able to get it (or the strap) out without cutting and beating on it for a while.

The hot product now is kinetic ropes for yanking out stuck vehicles. The flat straps are great and have been around forever (I've got a few of various sizes) but you have to be sure what it's rated for towing or recovery/snatching, this info is probably only on the original packaging (I don't remember tags on my straps but it's been a while).

 

[TurboDog]

I don't do any yanking when I help get a vehicle out of a ditch in the winter time....that's about all the recovery I ever need to do. If I can't pull them out, I can get them a ride to a towing outfit. I live in a semi remote area and folks do help each other. I think I will go ahead and get a receiver shackle D Ring to be nicer to my strap.

Thanks for all the input

 

[Ricko1966]

Reminder,this man was killed trying to jerk a truck loose. And this was with a strap, broke the end of the receiver off,sent it through the windshield. I doubt a strap blanket would have helped,but couldn't have hurt

 

[77 K20]

I was using a kinetic rope several time a month a few winters ago when going out snow wheeling with the off road club. It is amazing how well they work. IF you have the proper anchor points, the proper equipment and just give them a slight bump. You don't back all the way up and floor it to "get some momentum". The rope stretching makes for a nice gentle recovery and will pop them right out of the hole they dug themselves.
I have a bubba rope and a rope from yankum ropes. And multiple softshackles. I do have D rings for the front bumper but that is because the sharp edges to the recovery holes would likely damage the rope.

 

[nvrenuf]

Reminder,this man was killed trying to jerk a truck loose. And this was with a strap, broke the end of the receiver off,sent it through the windshield. I doubt a strap blanket would have helped,but couldn't have hurt

A sad situation indeed.

I have a Warn receiver hitch insert designed for a clevis and it's solid, not hollow or tubing.

 

[waterpirate]

Sort of off topic, but the young adults had my avatar drill rig in a bind and jerked it with a junk chain. Driver of the rig $hit himself as the half of chain came through the windshield. No one was hurt thank God, but they went to summer school on safety training.
Eric

 

[DoubleDingo]

Sort of off topic, but the young adults had my avatar drill rig in a bind and jerked it with a junk chain. Driver of the rig $hit himself as the half of chain came through the windshield. No one was hurt thank God, but they went to summer school on safety training.
Eric

Got lucky on that one

 

[Turbo4whl]

Is it a problem to connect my strap to the receiver hitch using the pin?

You touched on another issue - "is the pin strong enough?" You'll be in a pickle if you ever bend the pin, you wont be able to get it (or the strap) out without cutting and beating on it for a while.

The hot product now is kinetic ropes for yanking out stuck vehicles. The flat straps are great and have been around forever (I've got a few of various sizes) but you have to be sure what it's rated for towing or recovery/snatching, this info is probably only on the original packaging (I don't remember tags on my straps but it's been a while).

So at work we have been using continuous loop straps for years. Some trucks weigh more than 15 tons. Safety guy says we need to use one of those kinetic ropes, and he provided one. We pulled the loop end off after a few pulls. I tied a bowline knot and we used it like that. Later when he spotted it, he took it and cut it up. Never knew the rating, just followed the request.

The shackel receiver adapter is a good idea. Better idea might be a pintle hook receiver adapter. These are usually only a few dollars more. Reason is supply and demand. Yes the latch is not that strong, so if you are pulling something taller, just turn it upside down.

 

[papakay]

Wow, that sounds like a dangerous situation. You’re absolutely right—yanking on a chain like that is asking for trouble. Chains aren’t designed to stretch, so when they snap under load, it’s like releasing a missile. Glad no one was hurt. Props to you for stepping in and doing it the safe way with your wrecker!

 

[Strick]

We would hook trucks up and see who could drag one another...when I was in younger skin...a few decades ago...last Century...last Millennium. Anyways, I had an old Allis-Chalmers hood that I kept in my truck as a rear window cover. I would stand it up between the roll bar and cab on my ole '76. I was hooked to a CUCV one night and the rear block kit came out of the other truck and projected the block like a missile past me. I watched as it danced across the parking lot until it stopped a couple hundred feet away. I don't know if that hood would have been much protection from that and I'm glad that I didn't find out the hard way! Good times but I'm thankful that the Lord looks after children and fools...

HS